Eomer raised up his head, and resting it on his elbow, observed the woman lying asleep next to him.
Her hair was tussled and some of it was matted down to her head. The pink flush in her cheeks still remained. Her pink lips were parted slightly, and he heard the steady whisper of her soft breathing.
Eomer raised his arm and slowly reached out for her. Gently, he traced one of his rough, calloused fingers along the outline of her soft pink lips. She did not move at his touch, soundly asleep. His eyes softened uncharacteristically when he saw that in her sleep she smiled.
In her sleep she was free from her past and released from the sorrow she forever bore.
Suddenly Eomer felt a warmth in his center, and an urge bubbled up from his stomach. Unable to surpress it any longer, he opened his mouth and led out a happy and loud laughter. He was so pleased with his good fortune in his happiness with his wife he could not help but laugh, for pure joy.
Lirah cracked an eye open.
"Why are you awake at this hour?"
Eomer smirked. Leaning forward he brushed his lips along her neck while breathing in her ear, "The question is, my darling wife, why are you asleep?"
Lirah opened both eyes widely at his words. A grin crept onto her face.
Eomer suddenly jumped as a cold hand slipped between his legs.
"Husband, you do wrong to tempt me. You have yet to learn of the passions that must now be released since you have unlocked my maidenhood."
She pushed herself up and looked into his eyes. There was a lock of hair in his face. Brushing it out of the way, she whispered, "I want you."
Eomer growled and threw the sheets off of them. Lirah giggled in anticipation and lied down on her back, pulling her husband up on top of her.
Lirah awoke the next morning alone in her expansive bed. Already she missed the large presence of her spouse. Rolling over to his side she smelled the sheets and pillows where he'd lain, drinking in the sharp scent of pipe smoke and leather. Looking around she saw her abandoned white nightgown in a crumpled heap on the floor.
"So much for my virginity," she laughed.
The court cheered when Eomer and Lirah emerged later that day for supper. They'd been absent for breakfast and lunch, confined happily in their rooms.
Arwen looked on at the glowing face of her daughter. She put her arm around her son and smiled as tears began to stream down her face.
"My queen! Are you alright?"
She turned around in shock. Faramir was standing to her left staring at her with concern. He held out his hand to her and asked "Is there anything wrong?"
Taking his hand she shook her head.
"It's time we left Faramir. Lirah is happy, and she must be left alone to build her own life and family. Tristo and I shall return to Gondor, and I advise you and your wife come with us."
Faramir nodded, with a half-smile on his face.
"But why must you leave?"
Eomer let go of his wife's hand and stood up off his throne. "I too am confused. The wedding has just finished, the celebrations shall continue for at least a week more. Stay and make merry with us, I beg you."
Arwen shook her head. "No, we shall return to Gondor. Faramir and Eowyn have my leave to remain should they wish but Tristo and I shall leave. We must return to our own land and leave you to build your own lives here. Lirah, I shall not speak of any of this to your father."
Lirah's face suddenly became firm. "You may leave, for now I see your reasons. I thank you for being here and for bringing my brother. However I would prefer if you did tell my father about Eomer's marriage. Do not mention my name though."
"What!!"
Lirah looked to her husband. "Don't look so shocked, I don't care anymore what he thinks. If he knows then he knows, I shall not forgive him but I have moved on. I have a more important reason for living then revenge now."
Eomer's face softened. "You don't cease to amaze me."
Arwen and Tristo returned to Gondor, and Faramir and Eowyn (at her insistence) stayed behind for the rest of the celebrations.
She dropped her cape to the floor as Tristo ran to his father. Aragorn picked him up and spun him around.
"I have missed you my son. How was your trip? Did uncle Eomer let you see the horses like you wanted?"
Tristo looked to his mother for permission to speak.
She cocked her head to the side and shook it ever so subtly.
"It was lots of funny father. I got to sit on uncle Eomer's horsie and everybody was dancing." He looked to Arwen again questioningly. "Mama may I go to my room now and play with my toys?"
She nodded demurely and kissed him before he left.
Aragorn walked slowly up to his wife, removing his jacket. He took her by the waist. "I've missed you," he whispered into her neck. His hands began to move up along her body.
"Yes, it was a tiring trip," she muttered, pulling herself from his grasp.
Aragorn could not disguise the hurt he felt, and it showed in his face. Swallowing, he tried to ignore her coldness. "Did anything interesting happen?"
Arwen stopped moving and looked up at her husband oddly. "Yes, the king was married."
Aragorn's jaw dropped.
"WHY was I not informed of this?" he nigh-yelled.
"How should I know? I was invited along with Tristo for a simple trip and the king happened to be married while we were there."
"I hardly think it fitting that I was not attending or even invited for that matter. Where are Faramir and Eowyn?"
"They stayed for the rest of the celebrations. They'll be there another week."
Aragorn stomped his foot on the ground. "I'm going to Rohan. I shall publicly ask the king why I was so rudely treated."
Arwen smiled and whispered so that he could not hear her "I think you'll love the answer!"
Aragorn rode quickly on Brego. Legolas flanked him on his own white steed. Behind them were a dozen or so soldiers.
They had sent a messenger ahead to announce their arrival.
As the party made to enter into Rohan they saw another party of soldiers riding to meet them. There looked to be about forty men: riders of Rohan.
Aragorn stopped his horse, and held up his hand signaling the rest of his party to do the same.
The captain of the riders of the Mark stopped his horse in front of Aragorn.
"Good day, noble King."
"Good day captain. What business brings you here?"
The captain took off his helmet. He looked to be around forty five, with a scratchy beard and brown eyes. "We have been sent to welcome you into our land by King Eomer and his queen."
Confused, Aragorn looked to Legolas who simply shrugged. "I thank you for your pains captain. I do not understand the necessity of this action though."
"Well…" began the man nervously. "…we are also here to inform you that the elf, your companion, is not allowed within our borders."
Aragorn's horse reared as he himself sat up in anger. "I beg your pardon?"
"By decree of the king of Rohan, Eomer, Legolas Greenleaf is not allowed within the borders of Rohan or any lands belonging to the nation." The captain took a piece of parchment out of his breast and held it out to Aragorn. It stated the aforementioned and had the seal and signature of the king.
Aragorn looked to Legolas. "Go on Elessar, I shall return to Gondor. I see no point to fight this. Send news of your journey.
"First though, I must discuss with you the business of…" he then whispered something into Aragorn's ear. The two rode their horses off to a secluded spot about one hundred yards away from the rest of the group so that they could converse without being heard.
"What do you think? Could it be some sort of trap?" asked Legolas.
"No, Eomer has no reason to trap me. Forgetting to invite me to his wedding was a cut, I'll admit. But if we were at war he would not have let my son return to Gondor. I do not think that there is any threat to me, but I do worry about this insult. It is the second one in a week. What do you think?"
Legolas sighed. "Honestly I care not to go into Rohan presently anyway. I am insulted but I'm sure there's simply been some sort of misunderstanding if you don't think there's a security threat. I just want to know what's going on; it's probably best that you go."
"I mean to go, for I mean to find out what on earth is going on!"